Nice people thread part 4 - sugar and spice and all things

lostinrates

doozer, I'm rough on laptops too. we bought dh's old work laptop this year, a couple of months ago and yesterday I flicked a button of the keyboard accidentally. (not sure what button either). I've had two sony vaios and will never have another, my last one was PLAGUED by problems and went back to sony about half a dozen times. It still sort of works (it needs a mouse the touchpad-dy thing and its buttons haven't worked for ages) but doesn't hold a charge.

When the study is done we're thinking of getting a ''proper'' computer again. Not a lap top and a Mac.

Doozergirl

Of course it's a Dell.

I will have to look out for a USB keyboard - something little that might sit on top of this rubbish one perhaps, as the idea of sitting with two keyboards in front of me is very odd! The keys are actually ridged and riven from my nails tapping against them, so to try and be fair to it, this thing has been given a good old workout! If I'm not on it, someone else grabs the opportunity so it's probably been in business more than it hasn't, iyswim. I keep meaning to buy a battery too.

If I have a proper computer I do all sorts of weird perching on chairs to try and be comfortable. I look like I'm 'Owling' half the time.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015034/Owling-new-planking-New-crouching-craze-springs-internet.html

michaels

I had a sadness, my Medion bought as a refurb 5 years 6 months ago as a refurb suddenly died the other night when I closed the dvd tray - I suspect DS had put something unsuitable in it which has shorted something out - I will open it up when I get a moment to see if I can fix it. The battery doesn't work but replacements are expensive and I only use it in bed anyway. Still it has been dropped on the floor more times than I can count to the extent of having a large bit of the case smashed off so it hasn't done too badly for what was a cheap make in the first place Am using a netbook borrowed from work temporarily (for in bed browsing, we do have another PC in the bedroom plus a PC in each of the other two bedrooms and the main server computer downstairs plus a handful of mobile browsing devices) but hate the low res screen, I can't believe they don't make higher res net books.

silvercar

The kids have a Dell laptop each. Both chargers have lost the ability to recharge the battery and needed replacing. Weird in that they provide power but can't charge, at first I thought it must be the battery that had died, but it proved to be the chargers.

Genuine dell replacements can be found online for half the price charged by dell.

vivatifosi

Lydia. DH has changed keyboard on my Dell and with a bit of technical know how its quite straightforward. As silvercar said, you can get Dell parts much cheaper online but not from Dell.

Also, its worth having discipline to use laptop plugged in most of time when at home as the Dell battery only has a recharge cycle of something like 300x, which wouldn't last an enthusiastic gamer very long. Doesn't last me very long for that matter, and I just spend all my time poring over Excel spreadsheets (can I say, I love my 17" screen for Excel spreadsheets, being able to see all those columns crisp and in high def has been a game changer for my productivity). Hah, and they said widescreen laptops were for gamers and those who watch a lot online.

Silvercar, I got a new Dell recharger for £25, but you do need to be careful that they sell you the right model. I was told it was the right one initially but it wasn't. It was from someone like Misco so they just changed it. ETA: sorry realised you probably know all this because it looks like you've already bought one!

Doozergirl

silvercar wrote: »

The kids have a Dell laptop each. Both chargers have lost the ability to recharge the battery and needed replacing. Weird in that they provide power but can't charge, at first I thought it must be the battery that had died, but it proved to be the chargers.

That went on mine too. They replaced the charger under warranty.

vivatifosi

On the subject of Dell, I've bought all of my computers from Dell Factory Outlet, as has DH, for about the last 10 years. You can generally get them at around 50% off. The one I'm on was £405, list when bought was about £830. DH watches the site for me. The key seems to be to go online at antisocial hours - they are a bit cheaper then - and not dive in but watch the patterns in pricing a bit before buying.

sss555s

I'm a Dell fan too.

I usually wait for a good deal to appear on hotukdeals when looking.

The last one i bought was a Dell studio laptop (for work) but i prefer a desktop over a laptop any day.

JonnyBravo

I wont be buying a Dell again. Too many problems (esp with keyboards). Very poor quality.

sss555s

LydiaJ wrote: »

The guys have all gone - although only next door. My electricity meter is running backwards.

Yes, yes, I know the electricity company will fit a different kind of meter soon that doesn't do that, and I'm not planning to conceal it and defraud them, etc. It's just nice to see it doing it. Am now going to put the washing machine on and see what happens.

I'm enjoying your story Lydia.

Keep us informed :beer: